CONN 


43 

.E22 
no. 181 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2011  with  funding  from 

LYRASIS  members  and  Sloan  Foundation 


http://www.archive.org/details/somecommonladybeOObrit 


CONNECTICUT 

Agricultural  Experiment  Station 

NEW  HAVEN,  CONN. 


BULLETIIV    181,  JANUARY,    1914. 


ENTOMOLOGICAL  SERIES.  No.  19. 


Some  Common  Cady  Beetles 

of  Connccficut 


Fig.  1.     The  fifteen-spotted  lady  beetle;  larva,  pupae  and  adult. 
Twice  enlarged. 

CONTENTS. 
Page 


Officers  and  Staff  of  Station,   ...  2 

Some  Common  Lady  Beetles  of  Conn.,  3 

Lady  Beetles  of  Greatest  Economic  Im- 
portance in  Conn 5 

The    Different   Species    Occurring   in 

Conn 6 

The  Signate  Lady  Beetle,         .        .        .  S 

The  Twice-Stabbed  Lady  Beetle,  .  10 

The  Squash  Lady  Beetle,         .         .        .  11 

The  Twenty-Spotted  Lady  Beetle,     '.  12 

The  Fifteen-Spotted  Lady  Beetle,  .  13 

The  Painted  Lady  Beetle,         ...  14 

The  Bulletins  of  this  Station  are  mailed  free  to  citizens  of  Connecti- 
cut who  apply  for  them,  and  to  others  as  far  as  the  editions  permit. 


The  Nine-Spotted  Lady  Beetle, 
The  Five-Spotted  Lady  Beetle, 
The  Three-Banded  Lady  Beetle 
The  Red  Lady  Beetle, 
The  Two-Spotted  Lady  Beetle, 
The  Convergent  Lady  Beetle, 
The  Glacial  Lady  Beetle, 
The  Parenthesis  Lady  Beetle, 
The  Thirteen-Spotted  Lady  Beetle 
The  Spotted  Lady  Beetle, 
Summary 


Page 

15 
16 
16 
17 
17 
18 
20 
20 
21 
21 
23 


CONNECTICUT  AGRICULTURAL  EXPERIMENT  STATION. 


OFF^ICERS    A-XD  STA.KK 


BOARD  OF  CONTROL. 

His  Excellency,  Simeon  E.  Baldwin,  ex-officio,  President. 

Prof.  H.  W.  Conn,  Vice  President Mlddletown 

George  A.  Hopson,  Secretary  Walllngford 

E.  H.  Jenkins,  Director  and  Treasurer New  Haven 

Joseph  W.  Alsop  Avon 

Wilson  H.  Lee  Orange 

Prank  H.  Stadtmueller  Elmwood 

James  H.  Webb  Hamden 


Administration.  E.  H.  Jenkins.  Ph.D.,  Director  and  Treasurer. 

Miss  V.  E.  Cole,  Librarian  and  Stenographer. 
Miss  L.  M.  Biautlecht,  Bookkeeper  and  Stenographer. 
William   Veitch,    In   charge   of  Buildings  and   Grounds. 

Chemistry. 

Analytical  Laboratory.  John  Phillips  Street,  M.S.,  Chemist  in  Charge. 
E.  Monroe  Bailey,  Ph.D.,  C.  B.  Morison,  B.S., 
C.  E.  Shepard,  G.  L.  Davis,  Assistants, 
'  Hugo  Lange,  Laboratory  Helper. 

'  V.  L.  Churchill,  Sampling  Agent. 

Miss  E.  B.  Whittlesey,  Stenographer. 


Proteid  Research. 


T.   B.  Osborne,  Ph.D.,  Chemist  in  Charge. 
Miss  E.  L.  Ferry,  M.S.,  Assistant. 


Botany. 


G.  P.  Clinton,  S.D.,  Botanist. 

E.  M.   Stoddard,  B.S.,  Assistant. 

Miss  M.  H.  Jagger,  Sffd  Analyst. 

Miss  E.  B.  Whittlesey,  Herbarium  Assislaitl. 


Entomology. 


W.  E.  Britton,  Ph.L)..  Eiiiomo/osut ;    Slate  Eiilomolosisi. 
B.  H.  Walden,  B.Agr.,  First  Assistant. 
Q.  S.  Lowry.  B.S.,  I.  W.  Davis,  B.S.,  Assistants. 
Miss  F.  M.  Valentine,  Stenographer. 


Forestry. 


Walter  O.  Filley,  Forester;  also  State 

Forester  and  State  Forest  Fire   Warden. 
A.  E.  Moss,  M.F.,  Assistant  Station  Forester. 
Miss  E.  L.  Avery,  Stenographer. 


Plant  Breeding. 


H.  K.  Hayes.  M.S.,  Plant  Breeder. 
C.  D.  Hubbell,  Assistant. 


SOME  COMMON  LADY  BEETLES  OF  CONNECTICUT. 
By  W.  E.  Brixton,  State  Eyitomologist. 


The  beetles  commonly  known  as  lady  beetles,  "lady-  birds" 
"lady  bugs"  or  plant-louse  beetles  are  among  the  best  friends 
of  the  farmer  or  plant  grower,  because  they  feed  in  both  larval 
and  adult  stages  upon  plant-lice,  scale-insects  and  the  small 
larvae  and  eggs  of  other  and  larger  noxious  insects.  With  the 
exception  of  one  species,  Epilachna  borealis  Fabr.,  known  as 
the  squash  lady  beetle,  all  lady  beetles  occurring  in  Connecti- 
cut are  carnivorous  and  predatory,  feeding  on  the  smaller 
insects  many  of  which  are  pests  of  cultivated  plants.  Hence 
we  call  them  beneficial.  Dr.  S.  A.  Forbes  examined  the 
stomach  contents  of  39  specimens,  and  found  that  one-fourth 
of  their  food  was  composed  of  plant  lice ;  though  they  ate  some 
vegetable  food  such  as  pollen  and  the  spores  of  fungi,  a  greater 
portion  of  their  food  consisted  of  insects. 

Though  many  persons  are  more  or  less  familiar  with  lady 
beetles,  some  are  not  acquainted  w'ith  their  habits  or  life  his- 
tories, and  do  not,  therefore,  recognize  them  as  friends. 

The  purpose  of  this  bulletin  is  to  point  out  the  beneficial 
habits  of  lady  beetles,  and  to  show  the  appearance  of  our  com- 
mon species  so  that  they  may  be  protected  and  encouraged 
and  not  destroyed. 

Professor  V.  L.  Kellogg  writes  in  American  Insects"  h.  friend 
of  mine  found  that  his  roses  were  suffering  from  insect  attack : 
he  saw  little,  convex,  black-spotted  reddish  beetles  clamber- 
ing busily  up  and  down  the  stems,  and  he  set  to  work  to  pick 
them  off  one  by  one  and  drop  into  a  tin  cup  with  petroleum  in 
the  bottom.  When  he  had  a  full  pint  he  showed  them  proudly. 
But  the  more  little  round  beetles  he  picked  off  the  more  rapid- 
ly wilted  his  roses.  And  for  the  wholly  sufficient  reason  that 
he  was  collecting  and  killing  lady-birds  that  were  making  a 

fight against  the  hosts  of  tiny  inconspicuous  green  rose- 

aphids  that  were  sucking  the  sap  out  of  the  rose-stems  and 
buds".  I  am  certain  that  most  entomologists  have  had  exper- 
iences much  like  that  of  Professor  Kellogg. 


4  CONNFXTICUT    EXPERIMENT    STATION,    BULLETIN     181. 

Blatchley  in  his  C"oleoi)tcTa  of  Indiana,  page  508,  estimates 
that  about  250  known  species  of  lady  beetles  occur  in  this 
country.  More  than  thirty  species  and  varieties  representing 
17  genera  all  taken  in  Connecticut,  are  in  the  Station 
collection.  Several  other  species  which  we  have  not  yet  taken 
will  probably  be  found  within  the  borders  of  the  State.  Sixty- 
three  species  are  listed  from  New  Jersey. 

In  the  system  of  insect  classification,  lady  beetles  belong  to 
the  order  Coleoptera  (Beetles)  and  to  the  family  Coccinel- 
lidfe.  They  are  easily  recognized  by  their  convex  elongated 
hemispherical  shape,  their  three-jointed  tarsi  and  their  usually 
conspicuous  markings.  Though  some  species  are  entirely 
black,  most  kinds  are  black  with  red  or  yellow  spots,  or  red 
or  yellow  with  black  spots.  The  wing-covers  of  most  species 
are  smooth  and  shiny  and  the  beetles  are  well  able  to  fly  from 
one  plant  to  another.  Our  largest  species  is  not  more  than 
three-eighths  of  an  inch  long,  and  the  smallest  measures  less 
than  one-twentieth  of  an   inch. 

Though  the  immature  stages  of  the  various  kinds  of  lady 
beetles  differ  somewhat,  in  general  the  eggs  are  oval,  light 
yellow  in  color,  and  are  laid  in  clusters,  each  egg  being  fasten- 
ed by  one  end  to  the  leaf  or  bark  of  the  plant  upon  which  its 
food  insect  lives.     Such  an  egg-cluster  is  shown  in  figure  9. 

The  larvae  of  lady  beetles  are  alligator-shaped  grubs,  us- 
ually seen  running  around  on  foliage,  especially  if  infested  with 
plant  lice,  and  are  three-fourths  of  an  inch  or  less  in  length 
with  prominent  legs,  and  with  body  tapering  backward,  and 
often  covered  with  warts  or  spines.  Some  species  are  near- 
ly black,  some  gray,  and  others  are  spotted  or  checkered  with 
bright  colors,  the  general  appearance  being  shown  in  figure  '■I 

When  the  larva  is  fully  grown  it  fastens  itself  by  the  tail  to  a 
leaf,  stem,  or  other  convenient  object,  the  larval  skin  pushes 
upward  and  forms  a  wad  at  the  tail,  and  the  insect  changes 
to  the  pupa  (or  chrysalid)  stage,  as  shown  in  the  center  of 
figure  9.  In  this  stage  the  insect  only  slightly  resembles  the 
adult  and  much  less  the  larva.  Fntm  the  \n\pve  the  adults 
soon  emerge,  mate,  and  with  certain  species  the  females  lay 
eggs  for  the  second  generation ;  most  species  of  lady  beetles, 
however,  probably  have  only  one  generation  each  season.  Some, 
perhaps  most  kinds,  pass  the  winter  as  adult  beetles;  some 


Lady  Beetles  of  Connecticut.  5 

kinds  are  found  in  houses  or  other  buildings  and  some  kinds 
hide  under  loose  bark,  stones,  or  wherever  they  can  find  shelter. 

Recently  in  Virginia  certain  lady  beetles,  especially  Megilla 
fuscilabris  and  Hippodamia  convergens  were  found  parasit- 
ized by  a  small  four-winged  fly,  Perilitus  americanus  Riley, 
which  lays  its  eggs  between  the  abdominal  segments  of  its  host. 

Though  most  lady  beetles  are  insectivorous  and  prey  upon 
various  kinds  of  plant  lice  and  scale  insects,  Burgess  observed 
that  Adalia  bipunctata  devoured  its  own  eggs  even  when  plenty 
of  other  food  was  available  and  within  easy  reach.* 

The  most  conspicuous  example  in  history  of  controlling  a 
pest  by  means  of  lady  beetles  occurred  in  California,  some 
twenty-five  years  ago.  An  Australian  insect  known  as  the 
fluted  or  cottony  cushion  scale,  Icerya  purchasi  Mask.,  appear- 
ed in  California  on  orange  trees  and  spread  so  rapidly  over 
the  state  that  the  extensive  orange  growing  industry  was 
threatened.  By  request  Mr.  Albert  Koebele  was  appointed 
an  agent  of  the  United  States  to  attend  the  Melbourne  Exposi- 
tion, and  while  in  Australia  paid  special  attention  to  searching 
for  the  insect  enemies  of  the  fluted  scale.  A  lady  beetle, 
Vedalia  cardinalis  Muls.,  was  found  feeding  upon  the  scale 
and  specimens  were  collected,  and  five  separate  lots  (altogether 
about  500  specimens)  were  brought  from  Australia  to  Califor- 
nia and  placed  upon  the  scale-infested  trees.  The  lady  beetles 
multiplied  and  their  progeny  were  soon  transported  to  each 
orange  growing  section.  In  a  few  years  the  cottony  cushion 
scale  had  been  brought  under  complete  control  by  the  Austral- 
ian lady  beetle ;  it  has  never  since  done  much  damage  on  the 
Pacific  coast,  and  the  orange  industry  still  flourishes. 

In  a  less  striking  manner  and  on  a  smaller  scale  our  native 
lady  beetles  are  continually  demonstrating  their  ability  to  clean 
up  shrubs,  trees  and  even  orchards,  which  were  severely  at- 
tacked by  plant  lice. 

Lady  Beetles  of  Greatest  Economic  Importance 
IN  Connecticut. 

For  controlling  aphids  and  scale  insects  on  cultivated  plants 
in  Connecticut  the  most  important  species  are  Adalia  bipunct- 

*Bureau  of  Entomology,  Bull.  40,  p    27,  1903. 


6  Connecticut  Experiment  Station,  Bulletin   181. 

ata,  Anatis  xv-punctata,  Chilocorus  hivulnerus,  Coccinella 
ix-notata,  Cycloneda  inunda,  Hippodamia  convergens,  H 
glacialis,  H.  xiii-punctata  H.  parenthesis,  Hyperaspis  signata, 
Megilla  fuscilahris,  and  Pentilia  misella. 

The  Different  Species  Occurring  in  Connecticut. 

The  following  notes  give  about  all  the  information  obtainable 
regarding  the  food  habits,  and  distribution  in  Connecticut  of 
the  different  species  of  lady  beetles  as  well  as  how  to  distin- 
guish them.  Several  of  the  species  are  cosmopolitan,  or  nearly 
so,  though  perhaps  more  abundant  in  certain  localities  than 
others.  For  food  records  all  of  the  principal  publications  deal- 
ing with  American  economic  entomology  have  been  examined, 
and  the  data  from  our  own  collections  and  laboraton,-  and 
field  notes  have  been  included. 

Coccidula  lepida  Lee. 

Color,  wing-covers  orange  or  light-brown,  marked  with 
black  at  base  and  along  the  outer  margins  for  nearly  two-thirds 
their  length ;  the  inner  margins  one-third  their  length  from  the 
distal  extremity  are  crossed  by  a  common  oval  black  spot. 
Thorax  o"range  or  light  brown  like  wing-covers,  without  spots, 
head  black.  Legs  and  underside  of  prothorax  and  abdomen 
orange  or  light  brown ;  underside  of  meso-and  meta-thorax 
black. 

Length  3  mm. ;  narrow,  more  elongated  and  less  hemispher- 
ical in  shape  than  most  lady  beetles. 

Immature  stages  and  food  habits  unknown  to  the  writer. 
Not  common,  except  perhaps  locally.  Occurs  in  swamps.  The 
Station  collection  has  but  one  specimen,  taken  in  Haniden. 

Scymnus  species. 

To  this  genus  belongs  a  numlier  of  species,  of  which  five 
have  been  found  in  Connecticut.  All  arc  black  with  a  short 
whitish  pubescence  and  certain  species  are  marked  witli  orange 
on  the  head,  thorax  or  tips  of  wing-covers.  All  arc  small 
and  would  hardly  be  noticed  except  by  entomologists. 

Length,  1.5  to  2.5  mm. 


Lady  Beetles  of  Connecticut.  7 

Apparently  little  is  known  about  the  immature  stages  or  life 
history,  though  Burgess  has  reared  one  species  from  a  black 
larva  with  whitish  wax-like  coating,  found  feeding  upon  aphids 
on  burdock. 

5".  punctatus  is  recorded  as  feeding  upon  red  spider,  clover 
mite,  and  upon  the  citrus  white  fly  in  Florida :  6".  terminatus 
upon  the  melon  aphis :  5*.  quadripushdatus  upon  the  spring 
grain  aphis  or  "green  bug". 


Fig.  2.  Pentilia  niisella  LeC.  a,  beetle;  b,  larva;  c,  pupa;  d, 
blossom  end  of  scale-infested  pear,  showing  beetles  and  their  larvEe 
feeding  upon  the  scales,  all  greatly  enlarged.  (After  Howard  & 
Marlatt,  Bull.  3,  N.  S.  Div.  of  Ent.,  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture.) 

The  records  of  the  species  in  the  Station  collection  are  as 
follows : 

5'.  americanus  Muls.,  New  Haven,  Scotland ;  S.  brullei 
Muls.,  Branford ;  S.  collaris  Muls.,  Yalesville ;  6".  fraternus 
Lee,  Hamden,  New  Haven;  S.  puncticoUis  Lee,  New  Haven. 
Scotland ;  6".  tenebrosus  Muls.,  New  Haven.  Probably  several 
other  species  occur  in  Connecticut  as  21  species  are  listed 
from  New  Jersey. 


8  Connecticut  Experiment  Station,   Bulletin   181. 

Pentilia  misella  Lee.  ( Sviilia  misella:  Microweisia  misella). 

Color,  uniformly  black  throughout:  dorsal  surface  shiny. 

Length,  1  mm.  or  less. 

Figure  2,  shows  adult,  larval  and  pupal  stages. 

The  smallest  lady  beetle  mentioned  in  this  bulletin,  and  the 
most  important  one  as  a  destroyer  of  the  San  Jose  Scale.  It 
is  locally  common  on  badly  infested  trees  and  is  recorded  as 
feeding  on  aphis  on  elm. 

Our  records  show  that  it  has  been  collected  in  Hartford, 
Mt.  Carmel  and  New  Haven. 

Hyperaspis  fimbriolata  Mels.,  and  H.  undulata  Say. 

Color,  black  with  wavy  yellow  margins  on  thorax  and  wing- 
covers,  and  a  yellow  oval  discal  spot. 

Length,  2  to  3  mm. 

Little  is  known  of  the  immature  stages,  life  history  or  habits 
of  these  species.  H.  undulata  is  said  to  feed  upon  the  spring 
grain  aphis  or  "green  bug". 

Our  specimens  are  all  from  New  Haven. 

The^Signate  Lady  Beetle,  Hyperaspis  signata  Oliv.,  var. 
binotata  Say. 

Color,  wing-covers,  thorax  and  head  black,  a  red  circular 
discal  spot  on  each  wing-cover.  Male  with  head  and  front 
and  lateral  margins  of  thorax  yellow.  In  the  type  there  is  a 
subapical  red  or  yellow  spot  on  each  wing-cover  about  one- 
fourth  the  size  of  the  discal  spot. 

Length,  2.5  mm. 

Variety  binotata  Say.,  is  somewhat  larger  and  lacks  the  sub- 
apical  spots.  Variety  proba  Say.,  is  smaller  and  has  two  sub- 
apical  spots. 

The  larva  is  white  and  woolly.  The  species  is  a  great  des- 
troyer of  cottony  maple  scale  (Puhinaria  vitis)  and  cleaned  up 
some  badly  infested  trees  in  New  Jersey  in  1905-'06.  It  also 
feeds  upon  the  woolly  maple  leaf  scale  {Phenacoccns  accricola) 
and  the  tulip  scale. 

The  Station  collection  contains  specimens  of  the  variety 
binotata  from  East  River,  New  Haven  and  Oxford,  and  of 
the  variety  proba  from  New  Haven. 


Lady  Beetles  of  Connecticut.  9 

Brachyacantha  ursina  Fabr. 

Color,  wing-covers  black  with  five  orange  spots  on  each ; 
thorax  black,  with  lateral  margins  and  sometimes  front  margin 
marked  with  orange  or  light  yellow.  Head  black,  area  be- 
tween the  eyes  suffused  with  orange.  Underside  of  body 
dark  brown  or  black.  Legs,  femora  dark  brown  or  black, 
tibiae  and  tarsi  orange. 

Length,  3  to  4  mm.  See  figure  3.  Little  has  been  published 
regarding  the  immature  stages. 

Very  common  on  native  plants  and  collectors  gather  them  in 
great  numbers  when  "sweeping"  but  is  seldom  seen  on  culti- 
vated plants.  At  Hartford  it  was  observed  feeding  on  aphids 
on  a  plum  tree,  but  we  have  no  other  food  records. 

This  lady  beetle  doubtless  occurs  throughout  the  state,  and 
the   Station   collection   contains   specimens   and   records   from 


Fig.  3.     Brachyacantha  ursina.       FiG.  4.     Delphastus  pusilhis.    Larva 

feeding  upon  Aleyrodes. 

Branford,  East  Haven,  Hartford,  New  Haven,  Norwalk, 
Orange,  Scotland,  Stonington,  Torrington,  Wallingford, 
Wethersfield  and  Windsor. 

Delphastus  pusillus  Lee.   {Oyptognatha  pusilhis.) 

Color,  wing-covers  and  thorax,  black  without  markings. 
Head  and  legs  yellow. 

Length,  1  to  2  mm.  A  small  inconspicuous  species  and 
economically  unimportant. 

Larva  first  described  from  Connecticut  by  the  present  writer. 
Length  about  4  mm.,  ground  color  gray  or  dirty  white  with 
a  white  median  line  extending  the  whole  length  of  the  body; 
two  pear-shaped  black  spots  on  first  thoracic  segment  as  shown 
in  figure  4.     The  pupa  is  cream  color. 

Feeds  upon  Aleyrodes  coryli  infesting  the  hazel  bush. 

Taken  only  at  Poquonock  in  the  town  of  Windsor. 


10  Connecticut  Experiment  Station,   Bulletin   181. 

The  Twice-Stabbed    Lady   Beetle,   Chilocoyus 

bhnilnerus  Muls. 

Color,  wing-covers  black  with  a  blood  red  circular  or  el- 
liptical spot  near  the  center  of  each.  Head,  thorax  and  legs, 
black.  Underside  of  thorax  black,  abdomen  red.  Almost 
hemispherical   in   shape   with   the  thorax   indented   or   drawn 


Fig.  5.     The  twice-stabbed  lady     Fig.    6.     Pupa   cases   of  the   twice- 
beetle;  twice  enlarged.  stabbed  lady  beetle;  twice  enlarged. 


within  the  circumference  formed  by  the  horizontal  flange  of 
the  margins  of  the  wing-covers.     Shown  in  figure  5. 

Length  4  to  5.5  mm. 

The  larva  is  spiny.  The  pupa  is  black  and  covered  with 
spines  as  shown  in  figure  6.  There  is  but  one  generation  each 
year  and  the  eggs  are  laid  singly  under  the  shells  of  scale 
insects  and  under  the  edges  of  the  bark. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  important  lady  beetles  feeding  upon 
the  San  Jose  Scale.  It  also  feeds  upon  the  scurfy  scale, 
cherry  scale,  Putnam's  scale,  Howard's  scale  in  Colorado,  pine 
leaf  scale,  pine  bark  scale,  cottony  maple  scale,  woolly  maple 
leaf  scale,  an  orange  scale  {Lepidosaphcs  glove ri)  and  the 
citrus  white  fly  in  Florida,  hop  aphis,  melon  aphis,  rosy  apple 
aphis,  Mysus  sp.,  aphid  on  burdock,  and  the  Colorado  potato 
beetle.  An  adult  has  been  observed  to  eat  50  birch  aphid  eggs 
daily. 

It  is  found  commonly  throughout  the  state,  but  there  are  def- 
inite records  as  follows:  Bloomfield,  Farmington,  Hartford, 
Milford,  New  Britain,  New  Canaan,  New  Haven,  New 
London,  Norfolk,  Norwich,  Rainbow,  South  Coventry,  Ston- 
ington,   Stratford,  Wallingford  and  \\'aterbury. 


Lady  Beetles  of  Connecticut. 


11 


The  Squash  Lady  Beetle,  EpilacJma  borealis  Fabr. 
Color,  wing-covers  yellow,  each  bearing  seven  black  spots, 
two  of  which   are  sutural.     Thorax  yellow  with  four  black 


Fig.  7.  The  squash  lady-beetle;  a,  larva;  b,  pupa;  c,  adult  beetle, 
three  times  natural  size ;  d,  0.%%,  four  times  natural  size ;  e,  surface  of 
same  highly  magnified.  (After  Chittenden,  Bulletin  19,  Bureau  of 
Entomology,  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture.) 

spots,  one  on  front  and  one  on  rear  margin  on  median  line, 
one  near  each  lateral  margin,  variable.  Head  and  legs  yellow. 
Undersurface  varying  from  yellow  to  dark  brown.  Shown  in 
figure  7. 

Length  8  to  10  mm. 


Fig.  8.     Work  of  the  squash  lady  beetle  ;  greatly  reduced. 


12  Connecticut  Experiment  Station,   Bulletin   181. 

The  larva  is  yellow  with  black  branching  spines,  and  about 
half  an  inch  long.  Except  for  the  15-spotted  lady  beetle  this 
is  the  largest  species  found  in  Connecticut,  and  it  is  the  only 
species  causing  serious  injury  to  plants.  Both  larvae  and 
adults  feed  upon  the  leaves  of  cucurbits,  particularly  squash, 
causing  the  damage  shown  in  figure  8.  The  larvse  feed  upon 
the  underside  of  the  leaves  while  the  adults  are  usually  upon 
the  upper  side.  It  has  also  been  observed  to  feed  upon  rag- 
weed. There  is  probably  only  one  brood  each  year.  As  a 
pest  it  can  easily  be  controlled  by  spraying  the  leaves  with  lead 
arsenate.  An  account  of  this  insect  may  be  found  in  the  Re- 
port of  this  Station  for  1908,  page  810. 

Though  the  squash  lady  beetle  occurs  throughout  the  state, 
our  specimens  are  from  Hartford,  Ledyard,  New  Haven  and 
Norwalk. 

A  closely  related  species  E.  corrupta  injures  beans  in  the 
southwestern  states. 


The  Twenty-Spotted  Lady  Beetle,   Psylhbora 
xx-viaculata  Say. 

Color,  wing-covers  light  yellow,  each  marked  with  eight 
black  spots.  The  thorax  has  four  black  spots  on  a  yellow 
ground  work,  thus  giving  the  beetle  its  name.  The  arrange- 
ment of  the  spots  is  shown  in  figure  10.  Head  and  legs  yellow. 
Undersurface  brown. 

Length,  2.5  mm.. 

Larva  white ;  a  pair  of  dusky  spots  on  prothorax ;  a  pair  of 
similar  spots  each  side  of  median  line  on  meso-thorax  and 
meta-thorax.  Two  dusky  spots  on  first  abdominal  segment, 
four  spots  on  each  of  second  to  sixth  segments ;  two  on  each  of 
seventh  and  eighth.     Tarsi  dusky. 

Length,  4  mm. 

There  are  few  definite  food  records.  The  species  is  suppos- 
ed to  feed  upon  plant  lice. 

Our  specimens  are  from  Bran  ford,  Hamden.  New  Haven 
and  Portland. 


Lady  Beetles  of  Connecticut. 


13 


The  Fifteen-Spotted  Lady  Beetle,   Anatis 
XV -punctata  OH  v. 

Color  varies  from  light  reddish  yellow  to  dark  reddish  brown 
with  eight  spots  on  each  wing-cover,  arranged  as  shown  in 
figure  9.  Thorax  black,  laterally  with  broad  whitish  margins 
containing  a  triangular  black  spot  on  each  side ;  two  whitish 
spots  at  rear  margin.  Underside  of  body  black  with  margins 
reddish  yellow  or  brown.  Legs,  femora  black,  tibiae  and  tarsi 
brown.  Over-wintered  specimens  are  often  so  dark  that  the 
spots  on  the  wings  are  obliterated. 

Length,  10  mm.     Our  largest  lady  beetle. 


Fig.  9.     The  fifteen-spotted  lady  beetle  in  all  its  stages;  enlarged 
about  three  times. 


The  eggs  are  light  yellow,  oval,  and  are  laid  in  clusters  of 
ten  or  twelve  usually  on  the  underside  of  the  larger  branches 
of  the  tree.  The  larva  is  about  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long 
nearly  black,  with  sharp  tubercles  or  short  spines  on  each  seg- 
ment, and  is  very  active  in  catching  and  devouring  plant  lice. 
The  pupa  is  light  yellow  with  brown  spots,  and  is  fastened  to 
the  bark  or  surface  of  a  leaf.  Shown  also  on  front  cover  of 
this  bulletin. 

The  15-spotted  lady  beetle  was  very  abundant  in  1909  and 
1910  and  served  as  an  effective  check  on  the  rosy  apple  aphis. 
It  is  most  commonly  found  on  shade  and  orchard  trees. 


14  CONNIXTICUT    EXPERIMKNT    StATIOX,    BULLETIN     181. 

The  food  records  follow :  Green  and  rosy  apple  aphids, 
aphid  on  peach,  cherry  aphis,  current  aphis,  plum  aphis,  aphids 
on  poplar,  a  birch  aphid  probably  Callipterus  hetulaecolens,  the 
aphid  probably  Chaitophorus  aceris  commonly  infesting  Nor- 
way maples  in  early  summer,  elm  aphis  {Callipterus  ulmifolii), 
larvre  of  the  Colorado  potato  lieptle,  the  cottony  maple  scale, 
woolly  maple  leaf  scale  (Phenacoccus  acericola),  gypsy  and 
brown-tail  moth  caterpillars. 

This  department  has  specimens  and  records  from  the  fol- 
lowing localities  in  Connecticut ;  Clintonville,  Danbur}^,  East 
Haven,  East  River,  Fairfield,  Hamden,  Hartford,  Meriden. 
New  Canaan,  New  Haven,  Niantic,  North  Haven,  Orange, 
Rainbow,  Southport,  Stafford,  Stonington,  Stratford,  Thomp- 
son, Wallingford,  Westbrook  and  Woodbridge. 


Fig.  10.     The  twenty-spotted  Fig.  11.     The  painted  lady 

lady  beetle.  beetle. 

The  Painted  Lady  Beetle.    Hannonia  pida  Rand. 
( Cleis  pida.) 

Color,  wing-covers  light  yellow  (sometimes  greenish) 
marked  with  double  black  lunules.  Thorax  and  head  also 
light  yellow  ornamented  with  black  markings,  more  easily 
illustrated  than  described,  and  shown  in  figure  11.  Underside, 
body  black,  thorax  black,  marked  with  light  yellow  on  lateral 
margins  and  between  front  and  middle  pairs  of  legs.  Legs, 
honey  yellow. 

Length  4  to  5  mm. 

Immature  stages  apparently  unknown.  Not  common  but 
found  in  pine  trees  in  early  spring. 

It  is  recorded  as  feeding  upon  pine  leaf  scale,  {Cliioiiaspis 
pinifoliae)  and  the  pine  bark  scale  {Cherries  piiiicorticis),  and 
various  aphids. 

Specimens  in  the  Station  collection  are  from  Stonington 
and  Wallingford. 


Lady  Beetles  of  Connecticut. 


15 


Another  species  H.  similis  Rand,  is  black  with  a  red  cres- 
cent mark  on  each  wing-cover.  Our  collection  contains  only 
one  specimen  from  East  River. 


The  Nine- Spotted  Lady  Beetle.     Coccinella  novemnotata 
Hbst.     ( ix-notata.) 

Color,  red  or  reddish  brown  or  yellow  with  four  black  spots 
on  each  wing-cover  and  a  common  one  on  the  inner  margin 
near  the  base ;  hence  the  name.  Thorax  black  with  front 
margin  red  or  yellow ;  head  red  or  yellow.  Legs  and  entire 
undersurface  black.     Shown  in  figure  12. 

Length,  5.5  to  7  mm. 


Fig.  12.     The  nine-spotted 
lady  beetle. 


Fig.  13.     The  five-spotted 
lady  beetle. 


The  larva  has  black  markings  on  the  thoracic  segments  and 
whitish  markings  on  the  first,  fourth,  sixth  and  seventh  abdom- 
inal segments.  Thirty  days  are  required  for  this  species  to 
develop  from  the  ^gg  to  the  adult  stage. 

This  is  a  common  and  important  species  for  checking  plant 
lice,  and  on  account  of  its  rather  large  size  is  more  often 
noticed  than  the  smaller  species.  An  adult  has  been  known  to 
eat  100  aphids  daily.  It  has  been  recorded  as  feeding  upon  the 
pea  aphis,  melon  aphis,  cabbage  aphis,  hop  aphis,  currant  aphis, 
woolly  apple  aphis,  plum  aphis,  birch  aphis,  rose  aphis,  spring 
grain  aphis  or  "green  bug",  European  grain  aphis,  German 
grain  aphis,  alfalfa  weevil,  Colorado  potato  beetle,  and  red 
spider. 

We  have  records  and  specimens  from  Branford,  Danbury, 
Meriden,  Milford,  New  Canaan,  New  Haven,  North  Haven, 
Sachems'  Head,  South  Lyme,  Stafford,  Stonington,  Walling- 
ford  and  Woodmont.     It  occurs  all  over  the  state. 


16  Connecticut  Experiment  Station,   Bulletin    181. 

The  Five-Spotted   Lady   Beetle.     Coccinella 
tra7isv^rsogiiitata  Fabr.  (v-nolata.) 

Color,  wing-covers  red,  marked  with  a  basal  cross-band  as  in 
C.  trifasciata;  the  middle  and  rear  bands,  however,  are  much 
shorter  than  in  that  species  often  being  little  more  than  elon- 
gated dots.  See  figure  13.  Thorax  black,  with  front  half  of 
lateral  margins  yellow ;  head  black  with  two  yellow  spots  be- 
tween the  eyes.     Legs  and  undersurface  black. 

Length,  6  to  8  mm.  The  largest  species  of  the  genus  Coc- 
cinella found  in  Connecticut.     Not  common. 

It  has  been  recorded  as  feeding  on  the  hop  aphis,  woolly 
apple  aphis  and  the  European  grain  aphis. 

Specimens  from  Manchester,  Middletown,  New  Haven, 
Thompson  and  AVallingford  are  in  the  Station  collection. 


Fig.  14.     The  three-banded  Fig.  15.     The  red  lady 

lady  beetle.  beetle. 

The  Three-Banded  Lady  Beetle.     Coccinella 
trifasciata  Linn.     ( perplex  a  ^lels.y' 

Color,  wing-covers  light  yellow  or  red,  each  crossed  by 
three  black  bands,  the  front  band  reaching  the  inner,  but 
not  the  lateral,  margins ;  the  middle  and  rear  bands  not  extend- 
ing to  either  margin.  Thorax  black  with  light  yellow  or  red- 
dish front  margin ;  head  black,  light  yellow  or  red  between  the 
eyes.     Legs  and  undersurface  black.     Shown  in  figure  14. 

Length,  4  to  5  mm. 

The  writer  is  not  familiar  with  the  immature  stages.  Bur- 
gess found  that  one  adult  ate  100  eggs  daily  of  the  birch  aphid ; 
it  also  fed  on  several  other  kinds  of  aphids. 

The  species  probably  occurs  throughout  Connecticut.  Our 
records  are  as  follows :  Branford,  Hamden,  Hartford,  Man- 
chester, New  Haven,  Portland,  Staflford,  Wallingford.  \\'ood- 
bury  and  Yalesville.  This  species,  though  common  on  native 
vegetation  is  not  as  abundant  on  cultivated  plants  as  the  pre- 
ceding species. 


Lady  Beetles  of  Connecticut.  17 

A  single  specimen  of  another  species  as  yet  unidentified 
which  may  prove  to  be  a  form  of  C.  monticola  Muls.,  was 
collected  at  Wallingford. 

The    Red    Lady    Beetle.      Cycloneda   77iunda  Say.      (Erro- 
neously Coccinella  sangiiinea,  a  tropical  species.) 

Color,  wing-covers  dull  red  or  yellow  without  spots.  Tho- 
rax black  with  front  margin  yellow  and  ornamented  as  shown 
in  figure  15.  Head  black,  marked  with  yellow  between  the 
eyes.     Underside  of  body  black,  legs  yellow. 

Length,  4  to  5  mm. 

This  lady  beetle  has  been  recorded  as  feeding  upon  the  pea 
aphis,  melon  aphis,  hop  aphis,  spring  grain  aphis  or  "green 
bug",  aphid  on  birch,  chinch  bug,  Colorado  potato  beetle,  and 
the  citrus  white  fly  and  the  purple  scale  in  Florida. 

The  species  is  common  on  native  and  cultivated  plants  and 
serves  as  a  check  to  plant  lice.  It  occurs  all  over  the  state. 
Our  records  are  as  follows :  Branford,  East  River,  Hartford, 
New  Haven,  Portland,  Stafford,  Stonington  and  Wallingford. 

The  Two-Spotted  Lady  Beetle.     Adalia  bipunctata  Linn. 

Color,  wing-covers  light  red  with  a  circular  or  irregular- 
shaped  black  spot  nearly  in  the  center  of  each.  Thorax  black 
with  lateral  margins  yellow,  sometimes  two  yellow  spots  on 


Fig.  16.     The  two-spotted  FiG.  17.     Adalia  humeralis. 

lady  beetle. 

rear  margin ;  head  usually  black  but  sometimes  with  two  small 
yellow  spots.  Legs  and  underside  of  body,  black.  Shown  in 
figure  16. 

Probably  the  commonest  of  our  lady  beetles.  It  hibernates 
in  houses,  often  occurring  in  considerable  numbers  with  elm 
leaf  beetles.  Nearly  every  year,  some  good  housewife  sends 
specimens  to  this  office  with  a  statement  that  they  were  eating 


18  CoxxECTicuT  Experiment  Station,   Bulletin    181. 

her  carpets  and  asks  for  a  remedy.  It  is  often  difficult  to 
convince  her  that  another  insect,  the  carpet  beetle  is  respon- 
sible for  the  damage,  and  that  the  two  spotted  lady  beetle  is  one 
of  her  friends  and  should  be  protected.  The  same  mis- 
take has  been  made  frequently  in  New  York  and  other  states. 

This  species  feeds  chiefly  on  plant  lice ;  the  adults  ha\e 
been  observed  to  devour  100  aphid  eggs  daily.  We  have  food 
records  as  follows :  Eggs  and  adults  of  pear  psylla,  green  and 
rosy  apple  aphids,  pea  aphis,  cherry  aphis,  currant  aphis,  hop 
aphis,  rose  aphis,  aphids  on  peach  and  plum,  cabbage  aphis, 
honeysuckle  aphis,  birch  aphis,  Norway  maple  aphis  (Chaifo- 
phorus  aceris)  aphid  on  buckthorn,  aphid  on  Hydrangea,  elm 
aphis  {Calliptenis  ulmifolii)  elm  scale  (Gossyparia  spiiri'n, 
and  eggs  of  its  own  species. 

The  two-spotted  lady  beetle  occurs  throughout  the  state.  We 
have  specimens  and  records  from  Branford,  Bridgeport,  Glas- 
tonbury, Hartford,  Ledyard,  Meriden,  New  Haven.  North 
Haven,  Southburv^,  South  Lyme,  Stonington.  .Suffield.  \\'alling- 
ford,  Westport  and  Windsor. 

Adalia  humeralis  Say. 

This  species  shown  in  figure  17,  considered  by  some 
to  be  a  variety  of  bipunctata,  has  black  wing-covers  with 
red  spots,  and  red  on  the  outside  of  each  wing-cover  at  the 
base.  The  size  of  these  marks  vary  greatly  in  a  series  of 
specimens.  The  thorax  is  black  with  lateral  margins  yellow. 
Size  as  in  hipunctata.     Comparatively  rare. 

Has  been  observed  feeding  on  plant  lice  in  Oregon  and  Cal- 
ifornia. We  have  adults  from  New  Haven,  Stonington  and 
Wallingford. 

The  Convergent  Lady  Beetle,     //ippodamia 
convergens  Guer. 

Color,  wing-covers  dark  red  or  yellow,  each  marked  with 
six  black  dots  as  shown  in  figure  18.  Thorax  black  with  front 
and  lateral  margins  yellow,  and  two  oblique  yellow  bars  as 
figured.  Head  black,  witli  ncIIow  between  the  eyes.  Legs 
and  undersurface  entirely  black. 

Length,  6  to  7  mm. 


Lady  Beetles  of  Connecticut.  19 

Larva,  first  thoracic  segment  yellov/  marked  with  four  black 
spots ;  second  and  third  gray  with  yellow  median  line  dividing 
a  black  cross-band  on  each  segment.  First  and  fourth  abdom- 
inal segments  yellow;  fifth,  sixth  and  seventh  marked  laterally 
with  yellow. 

According  to  published  records  this  species  feeds  upon  pea 
aphis,  melon  aphis,  cabbage  aphis,  cotton  aphis,  hop  aphis, 
plum  aphis,  cherry  aphis,  spring  grain  aphis  or  "green  bug", 
European  grain  aphis,  German  grain  aphis,  aphis  on  cactus, 
woolly  apple  aphis,  bean  thrips,  alfalfa  weevil,  chinch  bug,  red 
spider,  eggs  of  grape  root  worm,  asparagus  beetle  larvae,  and 
eggs  of  the  Colorado  potato  beetle.  Professor  S.  J.  Hunter 
found  that  the  adult  would  eat  from  50  to  60  "green  bugs" 
(aphids)  per  day. 


Fig.  18.     The  convergent  Fig.  19.     The  glacial  lady 

lady  beetle.  beetle. 


This  is  the  lady  beetle  which  is  gathered  in  large  quantities 
from  near  the  snow  line  of  the  Sierra  Mountains  where  it 
hibernates  and  distributed  to  melon  and  other  truck  growers 
in  California,  about  30,000  being  considered  sufficient  for  ten 
acres.  Several  tons  of  lady  beetles,  are  thus  distributed  from 
the  state  insectary  each  year*. 

This  is  considered  the  most  important  lady  beetle  in  control- 
ling the  cabbage  aphis  in  New  York  state. 

Though  this  species  is  apparently  less  common  in  Connect- 
icut than  some  other  lady  beetles,  it  is  an  important  destroyer 
of  plant  lice. 

Our  specimens  are  from  New  Canaan,  New  Haven,  Wood- 
bury and  Yalesville. 

*Monthly  Bulletin,    California   State    Commission   of    Horticulture^ 
Vol.  I,  pp.  71-81,  1912. 


20  Connecticut   Experiment  Station,   Bulletin    181. 

The  Glacial  Lady  Beetle.     Hippodamia  glacialis  Fabr. 

Color,  wing-covers  red  or  dark  yellow,  each  marked  with 
black  spots  as  follows ;  a  small  one  at  base,  a  large  one  at  apex 
and  a  cross-band  or  double  spot  at  the  apical  third.  Thorax 
black  with  yellow  front  and  lateral  margins,  with  o?jlique 
yellow  bars  as  in  H.  convergens.  Head  black  with  diamond- 
shaped  yellow  spot  between  the  eyes.  Legs  and  undersurface 
black.     See  figure  19. 

Length,  6  to  8  mm. 

The  writer  is  not  familiar  with  the  immature  stages  of  this 
lady  beetle. 

The  published  food  records  are  as  follows ;  pea  aphis,  cab- 
bage aphis,  melon  aphis,  clover  aphis,  German  grain  aphis, 
chinch  bug,  larva  of  Colorado  potato  beetle.  An  important 
enemy  of  the  melon  aphis  and  other  plant  lice. 


Fig.  20.     The  parenthesis  Fig.  21.     The  thirteen-spotted 

lady  beetle.  lady  beetle. 

Occurs  over  the  state ;  our  records  are  from  Branford,  East 
Haven,  Manchester,  Milford,  Mount  Carmel,  New  Haven, 
Newington,  Prospect,  Southington,  Stratford  and  Stonington. 


The  Parenthesis  Lady  Beetle.     Hippodamia 
paroithcsis  Say. 

Color,  wing-covers  red  or  yellow  marked  with  black  as 
follows ;  a  parenthesis  mark  near  apex,  and  a  small  spot  at 
base  of  each ;  a  triangular  common  spot  at  base  on  inner  mar- 
gins. Thorax  black  with  narrow  yellow  margin  in  front  and 
laterally.  Front  margin  projects  backward  to  a  point  on 
median  line  and  a  yellow  median  spot  at  rear  margin.  Head 
black  with  three  small  yellow  diamond-shaped  spots  between 
the  eyes.     Legs  and  undersurface,  black.     Shown  in  figure  20. 

Length,  4  to  5  mm. 


Lady  Beetles  of  Connecticut.  21 

No  description  of  the  larva  can  be  given.  Habits  much 
the  same  as  the  preceding.  This  species  feeds  upon  melon 
aphis,  clover  aphis,  spring  grain  aphis  or  "green  bug"  and 
European  grain  aphis. 

Apparently  this  species  occurs  throughout  the  state.  Spec- 
imens in  the  Station  collection  are  from  Bantam,  Branford, 
Cromwell,  Hamden,  Meriden,  Milford,  New  Haven,  North 
Haven,  Prospect,  Scotland,  Southington,  Torrington,  Wal- 
lingford  and  Yalesville. 

The  Thirteen-Spotted  Lady  Beetle.     Hippodaviia 
xiii-piindata  Linn. 

Color,  wing-covers  red  or  yellow,  each  marked  with  six 
circular  or  oblong  spots  as  shown  in  figure  21,  and  a  small  oval 
common  spot  at  the  base  on  the  inner  margin.  Thorax  black 
with  a  rather  broad  front  and  lateral  yellow  margin.  Head 
black,  mouth  parts  yellow.  Undersurface  of  body  and  femora 
black,  tibiae  and  tarsi  yellow. 

Length,  4.5  to  5.5  mm. 

I  have  found  no  description  of  the  larva.  The  species  is 
said  to  feed  upon  the  pea  aphis,  melon  aphis,  clover  aphis, 
German  grain  aphis,  and  the  eggs  of  the  Colorado  potato 
beetle. 

The  following  localities  are  represented  by  specimens  in  the 
Station  collection.  East  Hartford,  Hartford,  New  Haven, 
Stafford,  Stratford  and  Woodmont. 

The  Spotted  Lady  Beetle.    Megilla  fuscilabrisy[.v\%. 
(Erroneously  maculata  Deg".,  a  tropical  species.) 

Color,  wing-covers    bright  red  or  pink,  each  marked  with 


Fig.  22.     The  spotted  lady  beetle  Megilla  fuscilabris. 

seven  black  spots  as  shown  in  figure  22,  one  spot  at  base  and 
another  at  the  apical  third  joining  the  inner  margin  and  ap- 


22  Connecticut  Exi'Kkimk.nt  Station,   Bullktik   181. 

pearing  as  common  to  both  wing-co\ers.  Thorax  red  or  pink 
on  front  and  lateral  margins  and  median  band  leaving  two 
triangular  black  spots.  Head  black  with  a  red  median  stripe. 
Legs  and  undersurface  of  body,  black.  Longer,  narrower,  less 
convex  and  brighter  color  than  most  kinds  of  lady  beetles. 

Length,  4.5  to  5.5  mm. 

The  larva  is  dark  gray  or  nearly  black :  prothorax  black 
with  rear  margin  and  median  line,  white;  meso-thorax  and 
meta-thorax  whitish  with  a  pair  of  large  o\  al  black  spots  on 
each.  First  and  fourth  abdominal  segments,  whitish  the  first 
with  an  oblong  transverse  spot. 

The  spotted  lady  beetle  is  known  to  feed  upon  the  pea  aphis, 
melon  aphis,  cabbage  aphis,  currant  aphis,  spring  grain  aphis 
or  "green  bug",  German  grain  aphis,  chinch  bug,  eggs  of 
Colorado  beetle,  and  cotton  boll  worm,  larvae  of  asparagus 
beetle  and  cottonwood  leaf  beetle.  It  is  also  reported  as 
eating  pollen  and  fungus  spores,  and  in  1883  was  said  to 
injure  com  in  Fairfield,  Conn,  by  eating  into  the  soft  kernels. 
The  injury  was  slight,  however. 

The  spotted  lady  beetle  hibernates  in  moderate  numbers 
under  rubbish.  It  is  one  of  our  most  beneficial  lady  beetles, 
and  is  found  throughout  the  state. 

Our  specimens  are  from  Fairfield,  Guilford,  Hartford, 
Lyme,  Meriden,  Milford,  New  Haven,  Norwalk,  Warehouse 
Point,  West  Hartford  and  Yalesville. 

Anisosticta  seriata  Mels. 

Color,  wing-covers  yellow,  marked  like  M.  fiiscilabris,  but 
with  the  black  spots  larger  and  run  together.     Thorax  l)lack 


Fig.  23.     Aiiisosficla  seriata.  Fig.  24.     .b/isos/ic/a  s/rij^a/a. 

with  front  and  lateral  margins  yellow.     Head  and  legs  black. 
Undersurface  of  body  black  with  yellow  on   prothorax  and 
margins  of  abdomen.     See  figure  23. 
Length,  5  to  6  mm. 


Lady  Beetles  of  Connecticut.  23 

Little  is  apparently  known  regarding  the  immature  stages^ 
life  history,  or  food  habits  of  this  lad}^  beetle.  Smith  states 
that  it  is  locally  common  on  aphid-infested  goldenrod  and  in 
swamps  in  Southern  New  Jersey.  Not  common  in  Connecti- 
cut. 

The  few  specimens  in  the  Station  collection  were  taken  in 
New  Haven  and  Woodmont. 

Anisosticta  strigata  Thunb. 

Color,  wing-covers,  thorax  and  head,  light  yellow,  marked 
with  black  spots  as  shown  in  figure  24.  Underside  of  body 
black,  legs  light  yellowish  brown. 

Length,  3  to  4  mm. 

Apparently  little  is  known  about  the  immature  stages  of  this 
insect ;  in  fact  it  will  be  seldom  seen  except  by  collectors.  No 
data  could  be  found  regarding  its  food  habits. 

The  Station  collection  contains  specimens  from  Hamden, 
New  Haven  and  Orange. 

Besides  the  species  of  lady  beetles  just  mentioned,  we  may 
expect  also  to  find  in  Connecticut  more  than  one  species  of 
Brachyacantha,  six  being  listed  from  New  Jersey ;  and  several 
forms  of  Hyperaspis  of  which  eight  are  recorded  from  New 
Jersey.  We  may  also  fairly  expect  to  find  Neomysia  pullata 
Say.,  which  resembles  Cycloneda  munda  though  larger  (6  to 
7  mm.)  and  with  different  thoracic  markings,  and  occurs  on 
pine  trees.  It  is  also  recorded  from  both  Massachusetts  and 
New  Jersey. 

There  are  also  a  few  other  genera  particularly  Axion  and 
Exochomus,  examples  of  which  will  probably  be  found  in 
Connecticut. 


SUMMARY. 

On  the  whole  lady  beetles  are  of  great  benefit  to  plant  groW' 
ers  because  they  feed  upon  and  destroy  many  noxious  insects, 
especially  plant  lice  and  scale  insects.  There  are  about  250 
different  kinds  in  this   country  and  over  30  in  Connecticut. 


24  Connecticut  Experiment  Station,  Bulletin   181. 

Many  persons  do  not  recognize  them  as  friends.  They  should 
not  be  destroyed. 

In  California  certain  kinds  have  cleaned  up  aphis  infested 
fields  and  scale  infested  orchards.  In  Connecticut  two  kinds 
feed  commonly  upon  the  San  Jose  Scale. 

Most  kinds  are  more  or  less  hemispherical  in  shape,  red. 
yellow  or  black  in  color  and  spotted.  Exceptions  exist  of 
course.  The  only  species  causing  prominent  injury  in  Connec- 
ticut is'  the  squash  lady  beetle  which  devours  squash  leaves. 

The  commonest  kinds  are  described  and  figured  in  the  fore- 
going pages  of  this  bulletin. 


University  of 
Connecticut 

Libraries 


39153029221860 


